Police Investigating Sunday Evening Smash-and-Grab Theft
The New York Police Department is actively investigating a burglary at the Chanel store on Madison Avenue, which occurred Sunday evening. According to reports, two suspects used a sledgehammer to shatter the glass-front display at the luxury boutique located at 737 Madison Avenue, just before 7 p.m. The thieves made off with three handbags, each valued at approximately $10,000, before fleeing in a getaway vehicle.
No arrests have been made as of yet, and the investigation remains ongoing. Chanel has not yet provided any official comment in response to media inquiries made Monday morning.
Paolo Alavian, owner of nearby Altessi restaurant, observed that law enforcement arrived swiftly following the incident. He stated that the restaurant is taking extra precautions to ensure safety, adding, “We 100 percent will have extra people on the floor to watch what is going on. And we are keeping the door closed most of the time.”
While other restaurants in the area have faced thefts in recent months, Altessi has so far avoided such issues.
Matthew Bauer, president of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), expressed concern about the break-in and stressed the importance of vigilance in combating retail theft. Despite the incident, the Chanel store remains open for business, and Bauer commended the local police precinct for its ongoing efforts to tackle these crimes.
The break-in is being investigated as a burglary. While other businesses on Madison Avenue have not implemented immediate structural changes in response, local designer Dennis Basso, who has experienced merchandise theft in the past, spoke out about the feelings of vulnerability and violation that come with such crimes.
Retailers across the country continue to grapple with shoplifting and organized theft, which have been on the rise. Recent data points to an increase in these crimes, and numerous arrests have been made in connection with multi-million-dollar theft rings targeting major retailers nationwide.